It is the goal of the Department of Housing and Residence Life to partner with residents and other campus officials to provide a safe and secure environment for residents to live and learn. There are many measures/strategies in place that offer residents ways to be and stay safe while on campus; however, it is the responsibility of each resident to do their part by practicing safety measures and reporting any suspicious activities.

1. The most effective strategies for a safe campus are education and prevention. Crime prevention programs are conducted in all residence halls each semester; and tables, booths, flyers, bulletin boards, and the Residence Life Channel are utilized throughout the year to remind residents of the importance of being alert, cautious, and to report any type of suspicious behavior. Residents are informed of policies and procedures and are held accountable through the judicial system for any action that breeches the health, safety, and security of others.

2. Housing and Residence Life partners with Public Safety and Student Affairs to provide a Night Patrol service that patrols around and in the residence halls and parking lots, checking lights and doors, and provides a walking escort to students.

3. State-of-the-art Code Blue emergency/courtesy phones are installed near the entrance of the residence halls.

4. The entrance to all residence halls with exterior doors (with the exception of Centennial 2nd floor lobby entrance) are locked 24/7, except at selected times, such as move-in, move-out, Open House, Orientations, and other special occasions. All building exterior entrances are accessed by the student ID card. Many of our halls offer ID access to the student room as well.

5. A system of e-watch cameras have been installed in the interior and exterior of many of the housing facilities. The cameras are for recording purposes.

6. The residence halls/apartments are managed by live-in staff, such as Resident Advisors, Resident Directors, Assistant Resident Directors, and full-time Area Coordinators who are on-duty/call 24/7, including breaks and holidays. All staff is trained in the response protocol for emergencies, such as fire, tornado, pandemic, and crisis.

7. The housing facilities are equipped with fire safety systems, and residents are educated as to proper procedures in case of emergencies. Regular inspections and drills are conducted for staff and residents.

To learn more about how ETSU addresses the safety needs of students, and to view reporting and safety statistics to the campus, click here.